Board of Directors & Foundation Board
The Board of Directors steer the organization towards a sustainable future by adopting sound, ethical, and legal governance and financial management policies, as well as by making sure the nonprofit has adequate resources to advance its mission. The Foundation Board manage the Casa de los Niños Foundation to support the organization’s long-term financial health.
Board of Directors
Carol Swanson, MD
President
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“I believe that our future depends on how we support our children. As a mother, grandmother, pediatrician and member of society I have dedicated my life to bettering children. Being on the Casa de los Niños Board of Directors facilitates this dedication, because CDLN is an organization that supports growing children and provides help when children and adolescents are experiencing setbacks. Professionalism, innovation, excellence, community involvement and commitment are the qualities that make CDLN first-rate in Southern Arizona.”
Cicely Parseghian, Esq.
1st Vice President
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“Casa de los Niños has evolved over 50 years into an organization that works to prevent abuse and neglect before it ever happens. It provides services to protect and support children and their families at all stages: as first-time moms prepare to welcome a child, as parents navigate the stresses and surprises of parenthood, as young children take their first steps into education, as older kids navigate life at school, and when children or their families are struggling. I am honored to serve on the Board because, by supporting children and families and helping them to thrive, Casa makes our community a healthier, safer place for all of us.”
Gustavo Corte
2nd Vice President
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“I am on Casa de los Niños’s board to help the organization promote safe and healthy lives of children and their families. I believe one can have the biggest impact on improving a community when focusing on children and their needs. It is important to support children who may not have the ideal family environment or support system at home. Casa de los Niños does a great job at reaching families and children who need help. As a board member, I provide leadership and guidance to the organization and I advocate for the kids.”
Robert Wright
Treasurer, Member at Large
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“Each of us who have been given a leg up owe something to make our community a better place. I have a deep desire to help our youngest and most vulnerable to have a better life. I feel my role is to provide any help I can to support the mission of the organization that is best positioned to help children in our community. I truly hope my involvement can help CDLN thrive for many more years to come. CDLN has made me a better person by observing the great passion and commitment they bring to support our vulnerable populations.
My involvement with CDLN has never been a chore, rather it has been a gift. “
Linda Riordan, MD
Past President
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“I am a pediatrician and have devoted my life to caring for children. I see first hand the tremendous needs of our community’s children and their families. Those needs should be our highest priority. Over my 30 years in Tucson, I personally witnessed the loving care, support and education the devoted staff of CDLN provides to children and their families. It is my honor to help CDLN any way I can to achieve their mission.”
Dee-Dee Samet, Esq.
Foundation President
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“I have always believed that there is a need to help children and families in the community. I believe in the mission of Casa de los Niños which includes not only intervention, but prevention and supportive counseling to families as well as community education. I am proud to serve on the foundation board as it is a vehicle to make sure that our efforts to help families in the community can continue and we have the means to raise funds to help improve the lives of children and families. Ms. Samet is a double wildcat, receiving her Bachelor of Arts and JD from the University of Arizona and has been in practice for over 30 years.”
Gary Fletcher, Esq
Foundation Representative
Amy Cobb
Member
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“I am a data administrator at Keshet, a nonprofit that works towards LGBTQ equality in Jewish life. I joined the Casa de los Niños board because I believe that fostering health and well-being in children and families leads to healthy and thriving communities. Casa de los Ninos’ approach to focusing on the whole family speaks to the organization’s commitment to building lasting change and strengthening the community. “
Teresa Moe
Member
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“Our community is built upon and continues to strive thanks to vital organizations that make us stronger. Casa de los Niños is a venerable community-shaping organization that began with an important mission and has continued to shine bright by adapting long-term visions to address the growing needs of our community. As an educator with a background in bilingual special education, I am honored to serve on this dynamic board that helps to ensure the precious children and families of Tucson are supported with integrated services that meet complex mental health, behavioral health, developmental and educational needs through prevention, intervention and treatment programs. Personally, I am so proud of the incredible behind-the-scenes work that makes the wheels turn, the volunteers, staff, partnerships, and donors!”
Brian Eller
Member
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“Children are our future, and how our community serves our children will affect how they support our future. We need an intentional focus on building capacity for love, healthy relationships and resiliency for all families with children to grow and thrive. Casa de los Niños helps build this capacity and I am proud to serve this organization.”
Annie Breckenridge Barrett
Member
Moira Richards, MD
Member
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“Being part of Casa de los Ninos has been one of the greatest things I have participated in. As a pediatrician who specializes in at risk infants in the neonatal intensive care unit, providing these children and their families with a healthy start and then the support they need to have a healthy life is at my core. The breadth of services Casa de los Niños provides with Behavioral Health Services, Early Childhood Education, support in local schools, and parent education is a great example of supporting families in the continuum of their lives. I am proud to say I am a board member at Casa de los Niños!”
Susan Johnson
Member
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“Having provided services to children and families for nearly twenty years, I know firsthand the positive impact of prevention, intervention, and treatment services for children and families. As a former social worker and therapist, the mission of Casa de los Niños is near to my heart. I am proud of Casa’s 50-year legacy of providing transformative services to children and families in Tucson and Southern Arizona. I am honored to serve the community as a board member at Casa de Los Niños.”
Tiffiany Jones
Member
Foundation Board
Dee-Dee Samet
Foundation President
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“I have always believed that there is a need to help children and families in the community. I believe in the mission of Casa de los Niños which includes not only intervention, but prevention and supportive counseling to families as well as community education. I am proud to serve on the foundation board as it is a vehicle to make sure that our efforts to help families in the community can continue and we have the means to raise funds to help improve the lives of children and families. Ms. Samet is a double wildcat, receiving her Bachelor of Arts and JD from the University of Arizona and has been in practice for over 30 years.”
Lisa Owens-Sredzinski
Secretary
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“I joined Casa de los Niños Foundation Board in 2003 as I was drawn to Casa’s deep rooted community connection and their vision to deliver intervention and treatment to at-risk children and families within Southern Arizona- my home. I truly want to be part of that singular voice demonstrating advocacy and support by lending my expertise and background in health insurance, fundraising, and business financials/investments. It is fulfilling to serve in this role through these many years in my community that I love! “
Mark Cowley
Treasurer
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“I am a CPA in Tucson and have specialized in non- profit organizations my entire career. Growing up in Tucson I have seen many of the needs of our community and serving on the board of Casa de los Niños gives me the opportunity to give back. I have been so impressed with the work that this organization provides for children and families in Tucson and hope that my experience can help Casa to accomplish their mission and plan for the future to continue serving the community.”
Gary Fletcher, Esq
Jeanne Landdeck-Sisco
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“I was the Executive Director at Casa de los Niños from 1987-2004. I currently serve on the Casa’s Foundation Board of Directors because I remain committed to ensuring the Casa’s presence in our community into the future. Casa de los Niños’ services may change and evolve, but a child’s need for protection and security in a loving family that is able to provide stability, is a constant that will never change. That is why Casa de los Niños will continue to be an anchor for present and future generations of our state’s children and families.”
Ray Magnuson
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“For over 25 years, I have been associated with Casa de los Niños either as a Foundation Board member or on its Operating Board, serving as President on both. During this time, I have seen CDLN go from a shelter for abused and neglected children to the premier provider of multiple physical and mental services to at-risk children. This constant progression to meet the changing needs of our communities’ most vulnerable families is what makes Casa de los Niños a premier organization in Southern Arizona and why I will continue to work on their behalf.”
Jonathan Rothschild
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“Jonathan Rothschild is an attorney who practices in the area of Estate Planning and Business Law. He is a former president of Casa de los Niños and a longtime board member. Jonathan took an eight-year sabbatical from the Board while serving as Mayor of Tucson. Upon his return to private life, Jonathan was asked to and gladly joined the Casa de los Niños Foundation Board. Jonathan believes in the long-term mission and sustainability of this organization. Casa de los Niños has been an iconic non-profit in Tucson organization and has always served the community with quality, integrity and stability and it is Jonathan’s desire to see that high-quality mission continue into the indefinite future. “